Your official news source for Penn College

Recent Graduate to Attend Industry Event as ‘HortScholar’

National “HortScholar” Aaron A. Sledge Jr., a May graduate in landscape/horticulture technology: plant production emphasis, welcomes Open House visitors to a Penn College greenhouse.

A May graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s landscape/horticulture technology program is one of six 2018 HortScholars invited to a premier industry event in Columbus, Ohio, this summer.

Aaron A. Sledge Jr., who earned an associate degree in the major’s plant production emphasis, will attend AmericanHort’s “Cultivate 18” event at the Greater Columbus Convention Center from July 14-17.

Read more

College Appoints Administrator to Oversee Facilities/Maintenance

Timothy O. Rissel

Pennsylvania College of Technology has named Timothy O. Rissel executive director of general services.

Rissel, who comes to Penn College from Albright College, Reading, will provide leadership in management and operation of the college’s facilities, including construction/renovation, maintenance/repair, utilities, grounds, custodial care and the motor pool.

Read more

Faculty Visit Grads, Hear Workplace Acclaim for Electrical Curriculum

Yokitis and Hart discuss quality issues with Kevin Jant, senior manufacturing engineer.

In their ongoing effort to establish ties with industry leaders, faculty from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s electrical department visited with officials and alumni at the Crown Cork and Seal beverage can manufacturing plant in Nichols, New York, on Wednesday.

Read more

Plastics Professionals Converge on Penn College Campus

The 20th Annual Extrusion Seminar & Hands-On Workshop at Penn College’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center attracted a group of industry professionals representing 28 companies in 11 states and Kuwait.

Plastics industry professionals representing 28 companies, 11 states and Kuwait enhanced their knowledge at the 20th Annual Extrusion Seminar & Hands-On Workshop at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center.

Forty participants attended the three-day session led by extrusion experts Chris Rauwendaal and Kirk M. Cantor. President of Rauwendaal Extrusion Engineering Inc. in Auburn, California, Rauwendaal has more than 40 years of industry experience. Cantor, a professor of plastics and polymer technology at Penn College, has taught extrusion for 30-plus years.

Read more

Crosscutters Make Pre-Game Stop at Camp ESCAPE

The 'cutters added their signatures to caps and other campers' keepsakes.

Camp ESCAPE kids meet the players (from left): Mayer, O'Brien, Melendez and Lindow.

Beating the heat with some indoor fun

Ballplayers face a formidable lineup!

Four members of the Williamsport Crosscutters, back at BBT Park after a trio of early-season games in State College, visited Penn College’s Camp ESCAPE on Monday morning. Pitchers Orestes Melendez and Ethan Lindow, infielder Stoney O’Brien and right fielder Danny Mayer joined the youngsters for dodgeball in the Field House, signed a number of items brought in for autographing and met with some very inquisitive campers. (In case anyone is wondering, hockey is the second-favorite sport for many of the teammates.) The ‘cutters face three home games against the Auburn Doubledays this week.
 Photos by Jeremy R. Bottorf, coordinator of athletics for club sports, intramurals and camps

Faculty Member Again Volunteers at FFA Convention

Carl J. Bower Jr.For the seventh time in eight years, horticulture faculty member Carl J. Bower Jr. lent his services during the Pennsylvania FFA Convention and Activities Week. The event, held June 12-14 at Penn State’s University Park campus, attracted high school students from across the commonwealth. Carl J. Bower Jr., an assistant professor in Penn College’s School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies, judged the Prepared (Conservation) Public Speaking competition and co-chaired the Nursery & Landscape Career Development Event. Pennsylvania FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Penn College Welcomes New Employee

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

Read more

Milton Hershey School, Penn College Formalize Partnership

Representatives from Pennsylvania College of Technology and Milton Hershey School gather for the signing of an agreement formalizing a partnership supporting MHS graduates’ success at the college. Seated (from left) are Tanya Baynham, vice president of graduate programs for success at Milton Hershey School; and Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost at Penn College. Standing (from left) are Dave Curry, director, career and technical education, Sheila Ciotti, manager, college and career preparation, and Keri Ambrocik higher education support specialist, all from MHS; and Melissa M. Stocum, academic skills specialist academic mentoring program, Tanya Berfield, manager of college transitions, and Kathleen V. McNaul, manager of academic services and international programs, all from Penn College.

Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Milton Hershey School are partnering to provide support to help students from MHS succeed at Penn College.

On June 14, representatives from both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding that formalizes and expands the collaboration, specifying steps to be taken to attract more MHS students to Penn College while improving their retention and graduation rates.

This is the 11th such agreement that Milton Hershey School has established with postsecondary institutions across Pennsylvania to offer its graduates individualized support for furthering their education.

Read more

Majestic Campus Centerpiece Enjoys Banner Day

A swirl of stars and stripesThursday’s 35th annual God, Country and Community Flag March traveled from nearby Nichols Place to the base of the 60-by-30-foot “Old Glory” gently waving in the pre-summer breeze above Penn College’s main entrance. Scout troops, veterans organizations and community members were on hand for the early-evening parade, which culminated in performances by the Repasz Band, participation in a National Pledge of Allegiance at 7 p.m., and awards to the largest and best-decorated groups of marchers. The Williamsport Sun-Gazette was on hand for the festivities, providing front-page coverage and an accompanying photo spread: Flag March 2018

Board OKs Penn College Budget, Tuition/Fees for 2018-19

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Board of Directors has approved a $161.8 million total budget calling for a 2.81-percent increase in tuition in 2018-19, marking four consecutive years of increases below 3 percent.

When tuition and fees are combined, the increase for 2018-19 is 2.39 percent. Tuition increases have been 4 percent or less for the past six years.

The total budget represents a 4.07-percent increase over 2017-18, driven mostly by building and renovation projects, including expansion of facilities for welding instruction on the main campus and renovations to a facility (gifted by UPMC Susquehanna) to house Penn College at Wellsboro, where a Practical Nursing Program is being expanded.

The college’s state appropriation is budgeted to remain at the current level of $22.1 million, representing 13.6 percent of the total budget and 18.3 percent of the Operating Budget for 2018-19, which is $120.9 million.

“As always, our budgeting process aims to keep tuition and fee increases as low as possible for students and their families,” said President Davie Jane Gilmour. “With prudent planning, we have again held our increase below 3 percent. In addition, the budget accommodates a welding expansion that allows for 60 more students to enroll in a popular program in a high-demand career field. Similarly, it enables us to offer nursing instruction to a third more students at Wellsboro, while leaving room for additional programming options there. Providing technology-based education is not inexpensive, but the investment pays lifelong dividends for our in-demand graduates, who are able to find family-sustaining jobs in stable career fields.”

Read more

Former Penn College Dean Granted Emeritus Status

Colin W. Williamson

Colin W. Williamson, who served in administrative roles for 27 years at Pennsylvania College of Technology – including the final 15 as dean of the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies – has been granted Dean Emeritus status at the institution.

The Penn College Board of Directors approved the designation for Williamson at its June 14 meeting.

Williamson began his Penn College employment in 1987 as an assistant division director in natural resources management and transportation technology. He retired as dean of transportation and natural resources technologies in December 2014.

Read more

Board Approves 2018-19 Budget/Tuition; Contracts Authorized for Welding Expansion

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Board of Directors on Thursday approved the 2018-19 college budget, tuition and fees; authorized bids for welding expansion; granted emeritus status to a retired school dean; authorized appointment of an auditing services firm; and approved a revision to a campus security policy.

The board also approved position/title changes for three members of senior administration and authorized appointment of members to serve on the Community Arts Center Board of Directors.

Read more

Penn College’s Industry Ties Exemplified in Board Appointments

Brett A. Reasner

The dean of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies has been appointed to the board of directors of the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation.

Brett A. Reasner, dean since the Spring 2015 semester, is serving a three-year term with the foundation board, which addresses professional education and workforce development in the industry – including accreditation of postsecondary construction equipment technology programs.

Read more

Bloodmobile Visit Tops Goal, Bolsters Summer Intake

The American Red Cross this week launched a "Missing Types" campaign to recruit blood donations. The messages draw attention to a shortage of blood types on hospital shelves by removing the letters A, B and O from branding materials.

Penn College faculty, staff and students have once again met the challenge to meet patients’ needs during a critical blood shortage in the north-central region. College Health Services and the American Red Cross report that 41 units were collected during Tuesday’s Bloodmobile stop on main campus, surpassing the day’s goal and positively impacting 123 lives. The next Red Cross visit will be from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 5-6 in Penn’s Inn (Bush Campus Center, second floor). Online appointments are available for those wishing to reserve a day/time to donate. “Thanks to everyone who took time out of their day to make a difference,” said Carl L. Shaner, director of college health services.

Ball Corp. Creates Pair of Scholarships at Penn College

Ball Corp., a leading supplier of metal packaging and aerospace technologies, has established two scholarship funds at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The Diversity in Manufacturing and the Manufacturing Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship funds each will provide annual $1,500 scholarship awards to students at Penn College.

Read more

Popular Items

Share your news

Have something to share with the community? Let us know.

Pennsylvania College of Technology is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University